SENATE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6656
BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senator Pullen)
Making criminal possession of a motor vehicle a class C felony.
Senate Committee on Law & Justice
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988; February 3, 1988
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6656 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Pullen, Chairman; McCaslin, Vice Chairman; Halsan, Hayner, Madsen, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi.
Senate Staff:Jon Carlson (786-7459)
February 15, 1988
AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1988
BACKGROUND:
Concern exists over the growing theft of cars from used car lots under the guise of test driving such automobiles. City prosecutors generally do not consider an automobile stolen for a period of thirty days, giving individuals a substantial period of time in which to transfer the vehicle to another jurisdiction or otherwise dispose of it. It is suggested that the prosecution of this activity would be aided by shortening the time period beyond which an automobile is presumed stolen.
The crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission is classified among those crimes in seriousness level I of the sentencing guidelines grid. The standard range for level I crimes, assuming an offender score of zero, is 0 to 60 days.
SUMMARY:
The crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission is amended to include a person who, after obtaining an automobile or motor vehicle with the owner's permission, wilfully retains that vehicle after the period for which permission is granted or after demand for the return of the vehicle.
The seriousness score for the crime of taking a motor vehicle without permission is increased from level I to level II on the sentencing guidelines grid. The standard range for level II crimes is, assuming an offender score of zero, 0 to 90 days.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
Senate Committee - Testified: John Hosford and Ted Reedy, North End Auto Sales (for)